A group of viruses so-called because they were first isolated from two patients with a disease resembling paralytic poliomyelitis, in the village of Coxsackie in New York State. Thirty distinct types have now been identified. They constitute one of the three groups of viruses included in the family of enteroviruses, and are divided into two groups: A and B. Despite the large number (24) of types of group A virus in existence, evidence of their role in causing human disease is limited. Some, however, cause aseptic meningitis, non-specific upper respiratory infection and myocarditis, and others cause a condition known as herpangina, hand, foot and mouth disease is another disease caused by the A group. All six types of group B virus have been associated with outbreaks of aseptic meningitis, and they are also the cause of bornholm disease. Epidemics of type B, infections tend to occur in alternate years.